**"The Royal Masquerade"**

Part 15

In the days that followed, Max found himself slowly adjusting to life in the palace, though he still struggled with the weight of his grief. The royal family continued to show him kindness, but the sense of displacement lingered. However, life in the palace was not without its challenges, and soon, a new twist in his already complicated situation arose.

One morning, just as Max was preparing to take a quiet walk in the garden, a maid entered his room with a serious expression on her face.

"Max, I have some news," she said, her tone formal yet sympathetic. "The princess has fallen ill. It's nothing life-threatening, but she's too unwell to attend some upcoming royal functions."

Max raised an eyebrow. "I hope she gets better soon," he replied, genuinely concerned for the princess, who had become his closest confidant in the palace.

The maid nodded. "Thank you, but... there's something else. The royal family has asked for your help. Given how similar you look to the princess when you were disguised before, they believe that, with a little preparation, you could stand in for her at the upcoming events."

Max's heart skipped a beat. "Wait... you mean... they want me to dress up like the princess again?"

The maid hesitated before answering. "Yes, exactly. It's only for a few days, until the princess recovers. The functions are important, and the royal family can't afford to cancel them."

Max's mind raced. After everything that had happened, the thought of stepping back into a gown and pretending to be royalty again was overwhelming. But at the same time, he felt indebted to the royal family for taking him in after the tragedy.

Reluctantly, he nodded. "If it helps the royal family, I'll do it."

The maid gave him a small smile of relief. "Thank you, Max. We'll start the preparations immediately."

Within the hour, the palace's team of stylists, seamstresses, and beauticians descended upon Max's room. It felt eerily similar to the last time he had been dressed up, but this time, there was no choice—he had to pass as the princess.

First came the luxurious bath, where he was scrubbed and pampered by several maids, ensuring his skin was as smooth and flawless as the princess's. Then, a team worked on waxing his arms, legs, and even his chest, leaving him feeling exposed and awkward.

Next, they brought out the clothes—a long, flowing royal gown, custom-made to match the princess's style. It was a deep shade of blue, embroidered with silver accents, and as Max was helped into it, he couldn't help but marvel at how elegant it looked. Still, the weight of the gown and its layers of fabric made him feel like he was sinking deeper into a world he didn't belong in.

As they laced up the corset and adjusted the gown around his waist, the maids brought out matching lingerie—delicate panties and a padded bra that gave the illusion of a feminine figure. Max tried not to think too much about it as they helped him into the undergarments, but the tightness of the corset and the unfamiliar sensation of the bra were hard to ignore.

Once dressed, the team moved on to his hair and makeup. A wig identical to the princess's hairstyle was placed on his head, styled in elegant waves that cascaded down his back. His face was carefully made up, with soft eyeshadow, rosy cheeks, and perfectly lined lips. The final touch was a pair of dangling earrings and a jeweled necklace.

When they were finished, Max barely recognized himself in the mirror. He looked every bit like a royal princess—graceful, poised, and delicate. But underneath the layers of makeup and clothing, he still felt like the boy who had been thrust into this world against his will.

The maid who had first informed him of the plan stepped forward. "You look perfect, Max. You'll do just fine at the functions."

Max sighed, trying to push down the anxiety rising within him. "I'll do my best."

The first event was a formal dinner with foreign dignitaries. As Max was escorted into the grand dining hall, the eyes of the guests turned toward him. He felt a wave of nervousness wash over him, but he maintained his composure, remembering the princess's tips on how to carry himself with grace.

Throughout the dinner, Max played his part well. He smiled politely, made small talk, and even accepted compliments on "his" appearance. But deep down, he felt like he was living someone else's life, and it was exhausting.

The next day brought a royal ceremony, where Max had to stand in front of a crowd, shaking hands with important officials and dignitaries. It was nerve-wracking, but he managed to get through it without anyone suspecting that he wasn't the real princess.

However, as the functions continued, Max began to feel the toll of constantly pretending. The weight of the gown, the tightness of the corset, and the pressure to be perfect all the time wore him down. He missed his old life, where he could just be himself, without the fear of being exposed.

One evening, after yet another exhausting event, Max sat in his room, still in his royal gown, and stared at his reflection in the mirror. He had never felt more alone. Just then, the princess, who had been recovering, came to visit him.

"You've done an incredible job, Max," she said softly, sitting beside him. "I don't know how to thank you."

Max shook his head, feeling a lump form in his throat. "I'm just trying to help... but it's hard."

The princess gave him a sympathetic smile. "I know. And I promise, as soon as I'm better, you won't have to do this anymore."

Max nodded, but the emotional weight of the situation pressed down on him. He had lost his parents, been thrust into a world of royalty, and now, he was pretending to be someone he wasn't. It was all too much.

Tears welled up in his eyes, and for the first time, he let them fall. The princess put a comforting arm around him, letting him release the emotions he had been holding in for so long.

"You're stronger than you know, Max," she whispered. "And we'll get through this together."